&uot;Bittersweet&uot; was the word Joanna Biglane used to describe her feelings just hours before her graduation from Cathedral High School Friday night.

Sweet, of course, because the hard work she put into earning a diploma would be realized. But bitter because she and her classmates, many of whom she had attended Cathedral with since preschool, will soon leave for college and their future.

Take her lifelong friend Stephen Edwards, for example. His father and Biglane’s father are best friends who graduated Cathedral and roomed at Mississippi State together, and their mothers are also best friends.

They can’t remember a time when they’ve been apart, and now Biglane and Edwards leave for Louisiana State and Mississippi State, respectively.

&uot;It will all hit me tonight,&uot; Biglane said.

So it was with tears and hugs and roses for their loved ones that they and the rest of Cathedral’s 47 graduates celebrated their commencement ceremony at St. Mary Minor Basilica.

&uot;You separate now to go in many directions, but hopefully you will always carry this group in your hearts,&uot;&160;the Most Rev. William Houck, bishop of the Diocese of Jackson, said in his speech to graduates.

Earlier, Valedictorian Amie Whittington reflected on the lessons Cathedral taught the Class of 2000, such as the importance of diversity and of doing one’s best and how to juggle a variety of activities.

Salutatorian Christopher Martin encouraged his fellow graduates to find something they enjoy doing and do it to the best of their abilities — and to find humor in even the toughest situations.

Meanwhile, Edwards and Biglane had already exchanged pictures to put in each other’s dorm rooms.

Edwards admitted that being separated from Biglane and his other friends &uot;is going to be hard … since almost everybody in the class have been friends ever since we started school. But I’m sure we’ll be able to keep in touch.&uot;

&uot;I hope we’ll be able to stay close,&uot;&160;Biglane said. &uot;We’ve always been there for each other … like family.&uot;